For All of Our Endeavors

For the desires we hold for this great American experiment, Reinhold Niebuhr has some important words for today. Niebuhr was a twentieth century theological luminary. You can read a little bit about him at  Reinhold Niebuhr: the theologian politicians read.

Reinhold Niebuhr (RNS photo)

“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love.

No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.”
                                                

(Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History)

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